DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT - 100MIPS 16-bit DSC CAN FD | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.5 | $4.50 |
| 10 | $4.1 | $41.00 |
| 100 | $3.7 | $370.00 |
| 500 | $3.35 | $1,675.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.04 | $3,040.00 |
DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT Overview
A Digital Signal Controller combines the deterministic interrupt handling and peripheral set of a microcontroller with the multiply-accumulate math engine of a DSP. Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded control, the DSC sits above general-purpose MCUs for math-intensive closed-loop tasks, making the dsPIC33CK family a de facto standard for motor control and digital power conversion.
Key differentiators of the MC506 variant include integrated op amps that offload external analog signal conditioning, a flexible high-speed PWM module with independent duty cycle, phase, and dead-time control per comparator, and CAN Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD) for modern in-vehicle and industrial networking. The 32-bit/100 MHz core executes DSP instructions such as MAC and dual-field modulo addressing natively.
Architecturally, the device pairs a 16-bit MCU pipeline with a dedicated DSP engine, independent ADC cores, and analog comparators. The C compiler toolchain (MPLAB XC16) and Code Configurator support rapid peripheral setup; the same core is shared across the dsPIC33CK256MC50X family, simplifying firmware reuse between memory and peripheral variants.
Typical applications include Brushless DC and PMSM motor control (sensorless FOC exploits the internal op amps feeding the ADC and the high-resolution PWM), digital power supplies such as LLC and totem-pole PFC, and CAN FD-connected industrial automation nodes.
Design consideration: operate the device from a 3.0V to 3.6V supply and budget decoupling for the analog op-amp and ADC rails; the -40C to +125C industrial temperature grade (I suffix) covers most factory environments, while the E suffix extends to +150C.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, ADC Resolution, CAN Interface, On-chip Op Amps.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33CK256MC506-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK256MC506-H/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK256MP506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.77 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK128MC506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK256MC504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC DSC with DSP engine |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 100 MIPS (100 MHz) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB |
| RAM | 32 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (I grade) |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm), PT suffix |
| CAN Interface | CAN Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD) |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| On-chip Op Amps | 3 |
| PWM | High-Speed PWM module |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT 64-tqfp (10x10 mm), pt suffix Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT (64-tqfp (10x10 mm), pt suffix package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Sensorless BLDC/PMSM Motor Control, Digital Power Conversion (LLC, Totem-Pole PFC), CAN FD Industrial Automation Nodes, Robotics and Servo Drives, Battery Management and e-Mobility Subsystems, General-Purpose High-Performance Embedded Control.
Sensorless BLDC/PMSM Motor Control
The DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT fits sensorless field-oriented control because its 100 MIPS DSP core executes the FOC current loop, while the three internal op amps amplify shunt-resistor phase currents directly into the 12-bit ADC, removing external amplification stages. The high-speed PWM module provides independent duty cycle, phase, and dead-time control with hardware fault shutdown for the three-phase inverter. Placed at the heart of the drive board, the controller closes current loops at tens of kilohertz PWM frequency with deterministic interrupt latency. Microchip's EV19G29A Motor Control PIM demonstrates this exact topology using a 64-pin dsPIC33CK256MC506, showing the quantified benefit of integrated op amps: fewer components, lower board area, and reduced analog offset between channels.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion (LLC, Totem-Pole PFC)
In digital power supplies such as LLC resonant converters and totem-pole PFC stages, the DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT provides the fast control loops these topologies demand: the 100 MHz core plus high-speed PWM achieves sub-100 ns PWM resolution and adaptive dead-time, critical for efficiency in soft-switching stages. The comparators and ADC support cycle-by-cycle overcurrent protection without CPU intervention, and CAN FD or UART links report telemetry to a system supervisor. Running from a 3.0V to 3.6V rail with -40C to +125C operation, the controller survives power-supply thermal environments. Firmware-based control also enables feature updates - power factor correction profiles, burst mode, or fault logging - that fixed-function analog controllers cannot match.
Recommended
CAN FD Industrial Automation Nodes
The integrated CAN Flexible Data-Rate controller makes the DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT a strong fit for industrial automation nodes that must exchange larger, faster frames than classical CAN allows - up to 64-byte payloads at elevated arbitration/data bit rates. The 256 KB Flash accommodates a full application plus protocol stacks and an OTA-capable bootloader, while 32 KB RAM buffers CAN FD frames and control state. Paired with an external CAN FD transceiver, the node can serve as a motor drive, sensor hub, or actuator controller within a machine network. The deterministic 100 MIPS core simultaneously runs real-time control tasks, so one chip covers both networking and closed-loop functions, cutting BOM count versus separate MCU plus CAN controllers.
Recommended
Robotics and Servo Drives
Robot joint and servo drive controllers benefit from the DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT's combination of math throughput and motor peripherals: the DSP engine executes cascaded position, velocity, and current loops, the PWM module drives the bridge, and the op amps plus 12-bit ADC close the current loops from low-side shunts. Encoder interfaces (QEI via remappable pins) provide position feedback, while CAN FD links the joint to the robot master controller. Operating across -40C to +125C suits factory-floor and outdoor actuator environments. Firmware flexibility allows commutation methods - FOC, sinusoidal, or trapezoidal - to be selected per joint, and the 256 KB Flash retains trajectory compensation algorithms alongside the real-time control firmware without external memory.
Recommended
Battery Management and e-Mobility Subsystems
Battery management units and e-mobility auxiliary systems leverage the DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT's CAN FD networking, 12-bit ADC for cell-voltage and current measurement chains, and op amps for current shunt conditioning. The 100 MIPS core runs state-of-charge estimation math (Coulomb counting plus model-based correction) alongside balancing control, while PWM outputs drive balancing FETs or auxiliary converters. CAN FD's larger payloads speed up pack telemetry reporting compared to classical CAN. The industrial -40C to +125C temperature grade covers under-hood-adjacent and chassis environments, and the E-grade sibling (DSPIC33CK256MC506-E/PT, to +150C) extends suitability for the harshest mounting points, using the same footprint and firmware.
Recommended
General-Purpose High-Performance Embedded Control
Beyond power and motion, the DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT serves compute-intensive general embedded control - digital audio processing, ultrasonic sensing, and instrumentation signal pipelines - where the DSP MAC engine and dual-field addressing outperform conventional 16-bit MCUs. Peripheral Pin Select lets designers route UART, SPI, and I2C streams flexibly across the 64 available I/O, simplifying board routing, while 256 KB Flash and 32 KB RAM host substantial application code and buffering. Development is streamlined by MPLAB X, the XC16 compiler, and MPLAB Code Configurator, and the General Purpose PIM (info sheet 50003190a) enables rapid prototyping. One silicon platform then scales across product variants by swapping firmware only.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33CK256MC506-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33CK256MC506-E/PT | DSPIC33CK256MC506-H/PT | DSPIC33CK256MP506-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10) | 64-TQFP - same | 64-TQFP - same | 64-TQFP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Speed | 100 MIPS (100 MHz) | 100 MIPS | 100 MIPS | 100 MHz |
| Flash | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| RAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 24 KB |
| On-chip Op Amps | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 (3 comparators instead) |
| CAN FD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated triple op amps for current sensing (vs DSPIC33CK256MP506-I/PT)
- Extended temperature option on the same footprint (vs DSPIC33CK256MC506-E/PT)
- 256 KB Flash ceiling of the family (vs DSPIC33CK128MC506-I/PT)
Design Notes
Supply the device from a clean 3.0V to 3.6V rail. When the internal op amps and ADC are active, analog supply quality directly affects conversion accuracy - place a local 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor at each VDD/VSS pair plus bulk 10 uF near the package. Estimated: with a typical operating current in the tens of mA range at 3.3V, a small LDO such as the MCP1790 suffices for controller-only loads; budget separately for I/O and PWM-driven external circuitry.
For motor-control layouts, route op-amp input traces from shunt resistors as short Kelvin connections directly to the designated analog pins, and keep the high-speed PWM outputs away from analog lines to prevent coupling into ADC samples. The 64-TQFP 10x10 mm body with 0.5 mm pitch requires a 4-layer board for clean ground return; dedicate an inner layer to ground under the analog section. Follow the EV19G29A Internal Op Amp Motor Control PIM schematic (info sheet 50003154b) as a proven reference layout.
Do not exceed 3.6V on the supply rail - the dsPIC33CK family is a 3.0V to 3.6V device and lacks 5V tolerance on general I/O; level-shift any 5V signals. Temperature suffixes matter: the I grade is specified to +125C, so if your thermal estimate (Estimated: ambient + self-heating from I/O drive currents) approaches that limit, specify the E grade (to +150C) instead. Also confirm RAM sizing early - the MP506 variant offers 24 KB versus 32 KB on the MC506, which can break firmware portability.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and lead-free finish per standard Microchip commercial packaging; obtain the formal compliance certificate from Microchip's product page for your date code.
